Records: the ‘master of the music industry’ says Bournemouth.

The resurgence of records is going strong, no wonder the Bournemouth locals have something to say about the music medium bringing generations together.

The Entertainment Retailers Association released figures this month showing vinyl sales earned the record industry a whopping £2.4m in week 48 of 2016 with downloads only producing £2.1m.

‘The younger crowd are getting into it.’

Chris is the co-owner of Rose Red Records in Boscombe alongside his brother in law. ‘It’s a business for family, I’ve always wanted to do it,’ Chris stated. He moved on to discuss the changing average of customer age. ‘’We get 14/15 year olds coming in with parents, they’re getting involved in an evolving music format.’

Chris, co-owner of Rose Red Records, Boscombe.

‘People like the feel of vinyl, it’s become the anti-download.’

Husband and wife team Alan and Chrissy recently added new record store, ‘The Vault’ in Bournemouth to their portfolio. The shop joins other businesses in Boscombe, Wallisdown and Christchurch. ‘It’s something we enjoy doing together. I was just a kid when I started collecting’ said Alan.

Also, working as an experienced BBC DJ, Alan referred to other music mediums contrasting records. ‘Using Mp3s is like watching a wide screen movie on your phone, the quality isn’t there. That’s why vinyl is back. It’s become the anti-download and kids are beginning to explore creative media formats.’

‘Vinyl is here to stay.’

Local resident Gwynn Shields (61) bought and sold vinyl for 8 years. ‘I always knew it’d be back. It’s definitely the master of the music industry.’